ticed the fowls down to it with some more split peas, and then walked
away.

"Now, sir, the creatures will soon find their way in; and by and by,
when I have time, I'll make a door to the entrance."

"And now," said William, "I think we had better roll up the canvas of
the tents; we have had a splendid day, and may not be so fortunate
to-morrow."

"Very true; we will get them housed, and stow them away under the
bed-places; there is plenty of room." By the time that they had folded
up the canvas, and William had brought in Nanny and the kids, the sun
had set, and they went into the house. Ready was requested to go on
with his history, which he did as follows:--

"I said last night that I determined to run away from school and go to
sea, but I did not tell you how I managed it. I had no chance of
getting out of the school unperceived, except after the boys were all
put to bed. The room that I slept in was at the top of the house--the
doors I knew were all locked; but there was a trap-door which led out on
the roof, fastened by a bolt inside, and a ladder leading up to it; and
I determined that I would make my escape by that way. As soon as all
the other boys were fast asleep, I arose and dressed myself very
quietly, and then left the room.

"The moon shone bright, which was lucky for me, and I gained the
trap-door without any noise. I had some difficulty in forcing it up, as
it was heavy for a boy of my age; but I contrived to do so at last, and
gained the roof of the house. I then began looking about me, to see how
I was to get to the ground, and after walking to and fro several times,
I decided that I could slip down by a large water-pipe; it was so far
detached from the bricks, that I could get my small fingers round it. I
climbed over the parapet, and, clinging to the pipe firmly with my hands
and knees, I slid down, and arrived at the bottom in safety."

"It's a wonder you did not break your neck, Ready," observed Mrs
Seagrave.

"It was, indeed, ma'am. As soon as I was landed in the flowerbed, which
was below, I hastened to the iron gates at the entrance, and soon
climbed up and got to the other side into the road. I started as fast
as I could towards the port, and when I arrived at the wharf, I
perceived that a vessel had her topsails loose, and meant to take
advantage of the ebb-tide which had just made; the men were singing `Yo
heave yo,' getting the anchor up; and as I stood watching, almost ma